A Season in Bali

And the sun goes down on Bali for another season.

Bingin, Munduk, Lembongan, Ubud. Birthday parties & Bali dancers. Friends & family coming to stay. Working out with Kat & Val. Sunning on the daybed beneath a leafy tropical canopy.

Sunset drinks on the rooftop penthouse. Kittens & puppies. Hidden steps & holes, don’t sprain your ankle. Beach clubs, hangovers, delicious food. Fresh squeezed juices delivered to the door “Pagi Denise what can we get you today”. Made’s Banana Flour Bakery where everything is gluten free. Coming home to a freshly baked loaf of sourdough hanging from the storeroom door.

Dancing on tables at Mexicola (didn’t do it). $5 loungers on the beach with a book (definitely did). Lazy days & early nights. Netflix in the loft. Firing up the Webber. Hundreds of Gojek drivers “Miss Denise? Are you ready? Let’s go!!”

Maids singing Selamat Pagi!!!!!!!as they enter the villa. Joking around “Mr Mark, Denise go shopping te hehehehe!!! We go shopping too te heheh!”

Construction on steroids, everywhere you look. Peering through the banana leaves & discovering naked workers bathing in the stream at sunset.

Fireworks across the rice paddies, buying sarongs on the beach & ocean swims. Allergies & itching like mad. Iced coconut latte’s at Zin cafe.

Adorning the stairways & tables with marigolds. Moving a vase or pot here and there to create beauty everywhere I look. Visits from Yessie & Mocha, an entire Balinese family relaxing from time to time on our doorstep.

Gifts of mangos & papaya from Iluh’s family farm in Singaraja. So many mangos that I have to freeze them. Sharing an ice cold smoothie bowl in my togs on the terrace with Mark. Spoons vying for the last mouthful.

The Canteen breakfast club. “I’m just popping up to Tiga” for lunch.

Rescuing Alex, a monkey living in a tiny cage at the neighbours - a work still in progress.

Mark, I love life here & I love you. I never expected when i discovered Bali almost 15 years ago I would end up with it as my other home. Feeling very blessed.

The Balinese people have so much room in my heart. So too do my friends & family back home and I can’t wait to see you. Denise